How to Invest in Mutual Funds Online in India, Benefits, Risks and How to Track

Investing in mutual funds can be an effective strategy for individuals looking to expand their investment portfolio and reach their financial aspirations. These funds come with several advantages compared to other investment forms like stocks and bonds, notably expert management, a broad range of assets for diversification, and potential tax benefits.

How to Invest in Mutual Funds Online

Investing in mutual funds online can be done through various methods. Here are the steps to invest in mutual funds online:

1. Buy Mutual Funds From AMC (Direct Plans): You can invest in mutual funds directly through the Asset Management Company’s (AMC) website. This involves opening a new account, providing personal details, filling out a FATCA form, providing bank details, uploading an image of a canceled cheque, and verifying your KYC through Aadhar.
2. Buy Mutual Funds From Investment Platform (Regular Plans): Online investment platforms like Scripbox allow you to invest in mutual funds in a hassle-free manner. You need to create an account, pick a scheme or plan, choose the payment type (SIP or lump-sum), fill in personal details, and transfer money online to complete the investment.
3. Invest in Mutual Funds through a Demat Account: If you already have a Demat account, you can use it to invest in mutual funds. Simply log in to your Demat account, look for the option to invest in mutual funds, choose the fund you want to invest in and complete the investment by transferring the amount online.
4. Invest in Mutual Funds through Karvy and CAMS: Registrars like Karvy and CAMS allow you to invest in mutual funds both online and offline. Online, you need to visit their website, create an account, provide your folio number, select the scheme, and make a payment.
5. Buy Mutual Funds through an Agent: While this method is not recommended due to its cost and time consumption, it is still an option. You can call your agent, who should be a mutual fund distributor, and hand over the filled-in application form along with a copy of all the KYC documents and a canceled cheque.

Understanding Mutual Funds in India

Before exploring the investment process, it’s crucial to understand the basics of mutual funds. These are collective investment schemes that amalgamate capital from numerous investors to build a diversified portfolio, which may include stocks, bonds, and other securities.

Managed by professional investment managers, mutual funds are an ideal starting point for novices in the investment world.

In India, the mutual fund landscape is diverse, offering several categories to cater to various investor needs. Some of the prominent types are:

• Equity Mutual Funds: Focus on stock investments.
• Debt Mutual Funds: Invest primarily in fixed-income securities.
• Liquid Mutual Funds: Aim for short-term investments with quick liquidity.
• Tax-Saving Mutual Funds or ELSS (Equity-Linked Savings Scheme): Offer tax benefits and invest in equity markets.
• Fixed Maturity Funds: Have a pre-defined maturity period.
• Retirement Funds: Tailored for long-term retirement planning.

Each fund type is designed to meet specific investment goals and risk preferences. For a deeper understanding, consider exploring resources like “Types of Mutual Funds in India.”

Consider reading: Types of Mutual Funds in India

Benefits of Investing in Mutual Funds

Mutual funds offer a number of benefits for investors, including:

• Diversification: Mutual funds allow investors to diversify their portfolios by investing in a variety of stocks, bonds, and other securities. This can help to reduce risk and protect investors from losses.
• Professional management: Mutual funds are managed by professional investment managers who have the experience and expertise to select the right investments for each fund. This can save investors time and effort, and can help them to achieve their investment goals.
• Liquidity: Mutual funds can be easily bought and sold, making them a liquid investment that can be used to meet short-term cash needs.
• Tax efficiency: Mutual funds can be tax-efficient investments, especially for investors in higher tax brackets.

Key Things to Consider Before Investing in Mutual Funds Online

Investing in mutual funds online is a convenient and efficient way to grow your wealth. However, there are several key factors you should consider before making an investment in Mutual Funds:

1. Investment Goals: Your investment goals should guide your choice of mutual funds. Are you saving for retirement, a down payment on a house, your child’s education, or another specific goal? Different funds are designed to meet different needs, so it’s important to choose a fund that aligns with your personal financial goals.
2. Risk Tolerance: Different mutual funds come with different levels of risk. Equity funds, for example, can offer high returns but are also more volatile. Debt funds, on the other hand, are generally more stable but offer lower returns. Understand your own risk tolerance and choose funds that align with it.
3. Fund Performance: Look at the fund’s past performance, but don’t base your decision solely on it. A fund that has performed well in the past may not necessarily do so in the future. However, a consistent track record of good performance could indicate a well-managed fund.
4. Fund Manager’s Track Record: The fund manager’s expertise plays a significant role in the performance of the fund. Look at the track record of the fund manager in managing the same or similar funds.
5. Expense Ratio: This is the annual fee that all funds charge their shareholders. It represents the percentage of assets deducted each fiscal year for fund expenses, including 12b-1 fees, management fees, administrative fees, operating costs, and all other asset-based costs incurred by the fund. A lower expense ratio can save you a significant amount of money in the long run.
6. Investment Horizon: Your investment horizon, or the amount of time you plan to invest for, is another important factor. If you have a longer investment horizon, you might be able to take on more risk for the possibility of higher returns.
7. Diversification: Mutual funds offer diversification, meaning they invest in a variety of different securities. Diversification can help reduce risk. Make sure the mutual fund invests in a wide range of securities.
8. Tax Implications: Different mutual funds have different tax implications. For example, dividends earned from debt mutual funds are added to your income and taxed according to your income slab, while equity mutual funds held for more than a year are subject to long-term capital gains tax.
9. Exit Load: Some mutual funds charge an exit load, which is a fee for withdrawing your investment before a certain period. Be aware of any potential exit loads before investing.
10. Regular Monitoring: Once you’ve invested in a mutual fund, it’s important to monitor its performance regularly. However, avoid the temptation to react to short-term market fluctuations.

Remember, every investor’s situation is unique, so what works well for one person might not work as well for another. It’s always a good idea to consult with a financial advisor or do your own research before making investment decisions.

How to Track your Mutual Fund Investments

Once you have invested in a mutual fund, it is important to track your investments so that you can see how they are performing. There are a few different ways to do this:

• You can log in to your mutual fund account online and view your portfolio.
• You can call your mutual fund company and request a statement.
• You can use a mutual fund tracking app.

Tracking your mutual fund investments will help you to stay informed about your progress and make sure that your investments are on track to meet your goals.

Here are a few tips for tracking your mutual fund investments:

• Set up a regular schedule for tracking your investments. This will help you to stay on top of your investments and make sure that you are not missing anything important.
• Pay attention to the performance of your investments over time. This will help you to see how your investments are performing in relation to the market and to make adjustments as needed.
• Compare the performance of your investments to your goals. This will help you to see if your investments are on track to meet your goals or if you need to make some changes.

By tracking your mutual fund investments, you can stay informed about your progress and make sure that your investments are on track to meet your goals.

FAQs on How to Invest in Mutual Funds Online

How to Invest in Mutual Funds Online?

To invest in mutual funds online, follow these steps: 1. Research various online investment platforms. 2. Compare fees, services, and fund options. 3. Open an account with your chosen platform. 4. Complete the necessary paperwork and provide identification. 5. Transfer funds to your investment account. 6. Select the mutual funds you want to invest in. 7. Follow the platform’s instructions to finalize the investment. Keep track of your investments and make adjustments as needed.

How do I Start Investing in Mutual Funds?

To begin investing in mutual funds, simply complete an application form and provide a check or bank draft to the respective Mutual Fund’s branch office or designated Investor Service Centers (ISC) or Registrar & Transfer Agents. This allows you to invest in Mutual Funds conveniently and securely.

Which Online Mutual Fund is Best?

The best online mutual fund for you depends on your investment goals, risk tolerance, and financial situation. It is recommended to research and compare different equity mutual funds offered by reputable online platforms. Consider factors such as fund performance, fees, and diversification before making a decision.

Can Mutual Funds be done Online?

Yes, you can invest in a mutual fund online if your KYC is complete. It is the most convenient way to invest, and you can save on commissions. If you prefer, you can also invest offline by visiting the nearest branch of the fund.